Dr Fiona Probyn-Rapsey (Australia)

Fiona writes: 'I remember the excitement that I felt when I realized (much later than most) that Human Animal Studies existed ­ and that I could bring my personal/ political interest in animals into my academic research.'

Fiona teaches a unit in the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney called GCST2603: Animal/Human Cultures, part of the university's Cultural Studies major since 2009. In 2011 she set up a research network at the University of Sydney called HARN: Human Animal Research Network that has many members from four faculties and a growing list of research events. She is also on the Executive of the Australian Animals Study Group (AASG).

Fiona is currently working on a book with Jay Johnston (Animal Death, SUP) which they hope to launch at the next AASG conference, organised by HARN for 2013 at the University of Sydney.